Sounds of ‘Gunfire’ Remain a Mystery

Published on: 13 Feb, 2023
Updated on: 19 Feb, 2023

Reports from numerous residents of gunfire in Guildford on Thursday night (February 9) could not be investigated by the police because there was no specific information on the location to make an area search practical.

Richard Duncan wrote to The Dragon NEWS: “On Thursday night at about 2120, there were three bursts of heavy machine gun fire audible in the Stoke Park area.

“Several people commented on this on the Nextdoor site but I have not seen or heard any explanation in the local media.”

The first responses to Oliver Topple’s comment on NextDoor. Altogether about 20 other residents responded. (Click on image to enlarge.)

Mr Duncan continued: “Before anyone tells me it was fireworks or a car backfiring, let me say that it was definitely a large calibre automatic weapon. I spent two years in Uganda in the 1980s and heard such weapons virtually every day and night. I know what they sound like.

“While we can hear gunfire from the Bisley, Pirbright and Ash ranges when the wind is from that direction, it is much fainter. This was very close.

“I am sure there is a good explanation but I would have thought that the media and the police would want to know why someone was using such a weapon in or around Guildford.”

A spokesperson for Surrey Police said today: “We received a number of reports in relation to noises which sounded like gunshots being heard in the Guildford area – this was around 9.30pm on Thursday.

“No further reports were received in terms of an exact location or providing any other details.

“Unfortunately, the lack of information and location meant that there was not enough detail to carry out an area search.”